This is the TVNewser cable TV ratings and news report for the week of May 25, 2026.
All three cable news channels ended the Memorial Day weekend with some positive news. However, MS NOW finished the week in a stronger position, as it was the only one to show growth in one of the measured categories in both primetime and all-day viewing.
MS NOW recorded weekly growth in viewership among advertisers in the 25-54 age group in both primetime and throughout the day. Fox News was the only channel to show positive growth in total viewers during primetime, while CNN saw growth in this demographic throughout the day.
NETWORKS:
According to Nielsen Big Data + Panel, Fox News averaged 2.299 million viewers in the week beginning May 25, including 183,000 in the 25-54 demographic during primetime. Overall viewership increased by 21.3%, but in this demographic, it increased by 12.1% compared to the previous week (the week beginning May 18).
Fox News averaged 1.448 million viewers for the entire day, of which 130,000 were in the 25-54 age group. Compared to the previous week's average, the network recorded a -4% decline in overall viewers and a -6% decline in the demographic.
Fox News regained its lead in total primetime viewers and remained third in demographics among all cable networks. For the full day, it ranked first in total viewers and retained its second place in demographics.
MS NOW averaged 881,000 viewers last week, with 100,000 viewers in the A25-54 demographic. Overall viewership was down 4%, but in the A25-54 demographic, it was up 23% compared to the previous week's primetime average.
MS NOW averaged 554,000 viewers for the entire day, with 57,000 in the relevant demographic. Overall viewers were down 41%, but the relevant demographic was up 21% compared to the network's average for the previous week.
Among all cable channels, MS NOW remained third in total primetime viewers and 17th in the demographic group. It also ranked third in total viewers and remained tied for 11th, tied with Disney Channel, in the all-day demographic group.
On average, CNN attracted 590,000 viewers in primetime and 108,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic for the week of May 25. Overall viewership declined by 11%, but remained consistent with the previous week's demographic.
The channel's total viewership for the day was 432,000, with 69,000 in the target demographic. CNN's overall viewership declined by 21%, but viewership in the target demographic increased by 31% during the period.
Among all cable networks, CNN fell from fifth to sixth place in total viewers, tying with the History Channel, and ranked 14th in primetime demographics. It ranked fourth in total daily viewers, but fell from eighth to ninth in demographics.
If we compare the indicators of these networks with the indicators of a year ago for the same period:
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In primetime, Fox News' overall viewership remained flat, but fell by 241 viewers in the 25-54 demographic. For the full day, the network saw a 21 viewership decline in overall viewers and a 261 viewership decline in the 25-54 demographic. It was the only network to show a decline in this year-over-year comparison.
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MS NOW's viewership increased by 231 viewers, and the demographic increased by 541 viewers. Overall viewership for the day increased by 101 viewers, and the demographic increased by 211 viewers.
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In primetime, CNN's total viewers increased by +581 viewers, and in the demographic group, by +771 viewers. For the full day, total viewers increased by +401 viewers, and in the demographic group, by +411 viewers.
PROGRAMMING:
Fox News took 14 of the 15 spots on the list of most-watched cable news programs this week, with The Five leading the way with 3.33 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MS NOW was presented by The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell , airing weekdays at 10:00 p.m. ET, with 1.194 million viewers, ranking 15th.
"The Five" also ranked first in the 25-54 demographic, averaging 285,000 viewers at 5 p.m. ET. Fox News occupied 12 of the top 15 spots in that demographic, while CNN's "The Source with Kaitlan Collins» ranked 8th with 161,000 viewers. CNN was also represented in the rankings at 14th place with the program "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip» , airing weekdays at 10:00 PM ET, with 142,000 viewers. MS NOW's "All in with" program Chris Hayes» , which airs weekdays at 8 p.m. ET, finished 15th with 141,000 viewers.
May 25, 2026. (Nielsen, Big Data + Panel Discussion):
Prime time
|
Fox News |
MS SNOW |
CNN |
|
|
• Total number of spectators: |
2 299 000 |
881,000 |
590,000 |
|
• A25-54: |
183,000 |
100,000 |
108,000 |
In just one day
|
Fox News |
MS SNOW |
CNN |
|
|
• Total number of spectators: |
1 448 000 |
554 000 |
432,000 |
|
• A25-54: |
130 000 |
57 000 |
69 000 |
Week 5-25-26 Cable Ranker P25-54 BDP from Adweek